How can adults support youth leadership?

Our young people are capable of amazing things. With the right support, they can create safe spaces for their peers, facilitate conversations and start tearing down the barriers that stand in the way of success. Naturally, the September 28 Coalition meeting ended with a question: How can we be more intentional in lifting up and utilizing youth voice and leadership?

“I think it is about making sure our environments are completely conducive for these young people to come in with their full selves and show up as they fully are,” said Joshua Zawadi, Teen Program Manager at PEAK.

Sebastián Fuentes, Community Engagement Manager at Milwaukee Succeeds, simplified it into three easy steps: “Ask. Listen. Equip. You ask them what they want. …You listen to what they have to say, and then you try to give them all the tools that they need to be able to explore that.”

“Some advice that I would give to adults,” explained Nalyla, an Ambassador from PEAK, “is I need an open-minded and encouraging person and I need someone to be open to hear my voice.”

Couldn’t make the Coalition meeting? No worries! Catch up on the action here.